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Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights, beside the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates at the entry to the city
at the main entrance she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call out;
my cry is to mankind.
5 O you who are simple, learn prudence;
O you who are foolish, gain wisdom.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things;
I open my lips to say what is right.
7 My mouth speaks the truth,
for wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
nothing is crooked or perverse in them.
9 They are clear to all who have discerning,
and right to those who have knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 for wisdom is more precious than jewels,
and nothing that is desirable can compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil conduct and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound wisdom are mine;
I have understanding and strength.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers enact just laws;
16 by me princes govern,
and all the nobles who judge in righteousness.
17 I love those who love me,
and all who search for me diligently find me.
18 With me are riches and honour,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of His works,
before His deeds of long ago.
23 I was established from eternity,
from the beginning, before the earth began.
24 I was brought forth when there were no watery depths,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains and hills were settled in place,
I was brought forth;
26 before He made the land and its fields
or any of the soil on earth.
27 I was there when He established the heavens,
when He marked out the horizon
on the surface of the watery depths.
28 when He established the skies above,
when He established the fountains of the deep,
29 when He set a limit for the sea
so the waters would not overstep His command,
when He laid out the foundations of the earth.
30Then I was the skilled craftsman beside Him.
I was daily His delight,
always rejoicing before Him,
31 rejoicing in His inhabited world,
and delighting in mankind.
32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favour from the Lord.
36 But whoever does not find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.”